OUR OFFICE

Just another day at the office, somewhere off the beaten path.

Meet the TEAM

| WHO WE ARE |

We Inspire Conservation Through Visual Storytelling

‍We are a multi-award-winning impact agency focused on wildlife, conservation, science, and community storytelling.

We've plunged into remote coral reefs to capture newly unearthed species. We've bivouacked in the bayou to unveil the world's rarest wolves, climbed great heights to document hornbills in dense jungle canopies, and journeyed across the savannah to film Africa's greatest predators. Our mission? To share incredible tales of conservation worldwide through broadcast, digital platforms, exhibits, classrooms, libraries, and impactful social campaigns to inspire environmental stewardship and empower community conservation.

| OUR TEAM |

The People Behind the Purpose

We are a team of storytellers, filmmakers, strategists, and educators, united by the shared belief in the power of creative media to drive real-world impact.

Justin Grubb, Co-Founder

Justin is an award-winning filmmaker, photographer, naturalist, and co-founder of Running Wild Media. With a master's degree in biology and extensive wildlife research experience, he combines science and storytelling to inspire conservation.
Justin Grubb filming underwater

Justin Grubb

CO-FOUNDER | FILMMAKER

Justin is an award-winning filmmaker, photographer, published writer, naturalist, and co-founder of Running Wild Media. Justin earned his B.Sc. in Biology at Bowling Green State University and his Master of Biology at Miami University.

With years of international wildlife field research and formal and informal teaching experience, Justin combines these two fields with media to enhance science communication. Justin's love for nature and passion for the outdoors has brought him to some of the most extreme habitats on Earth to study and film critically endangered wildlife.

He is a 2017 Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leader, a Nat Geo Wild "Wild to Inspire" award-winning filmmaker, a Fellow National of the Explorers Club, an Emerging League member of the International League of Conservation Photographers, and a TEDx speaker.

Alex Goetz, Co-Founder

Alex is an award-winning wildlife filmmaker, photographer, and co-founder of Running Wild Media, whose work combines a passion for conservation with compelling visual storytelling for audiences around the world.

Alex Goetz

Alex Goetz

CO-FOUNDER | FILMMAKER

Alex is a wildlife filmmaker and photographer, and co-founder of Running Wild Media. He has contributed to outlets such as National Geographic, BBC, PBS, CNN, and CBS, and was a winner of the National Geographic WILD "Wild to Inspire" film competition.

An Ohio native, some of his extensive travels have taken him from the countryside of Tasmania filming Tasmanian devils, to boating throughout the vibrant Marshall Islands, and road-tripping around four African countries documenting wildlife and conservation efforts.

Alex is a 2019 Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leader, 2019 NAAEE 30 Under 30 honoree, TEDxToledo 2017 speaker, and a 2013 graduate of Bowling Green State University with a degree in Film Production and Environmental Science.

Sam Van Wingen, Production Assistant

Sam is a photographer, storyteller, and outdoor adventurer who combines her background in wildlife biology with a passion for exploration and visual storytelling to inspire conservation and meaningful environmental action.

Sam Van Wingen

Sam Van Wingen

PHOTOGRAPHER | STORYTELLER

Sam is a photographer, storyteller, and writer, and an Environmental Biology student at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. She leads the University Outdoor Adventure Club, where she organizes and guides botanically focused expeditions into the Canadian wilderness as well as technical climbing excursions.

As an outdoor guide with a deep passion for conservation, Sam has led and participated in expeditions ranging from alpine environments to the jungles of South America. An avid backpacker, she has traveled across most of the world's continents, using exploration as a lens to better understand the natural systems that sustain life.

With an academic background in wildlife biology, Sam grounds her creative work in science. Through visual storytelling, she focuses on healthy habitats, human-wildlife coexistence, and locally led conservation efforts, using science communication to inspire meaningful action to protect the planet.

Michael Clark, Expeditions Coordinator, Cinematographer

Michael is an award-winning filmmaker, photographer, and conservation storyteller whose work has taken him across six continents. He has contributed to National Geographic and worked with Disney, CBS, PBS Nature, and Patagonia. With a teaching degree from Boston University, Michael combines his passion for wildlife, adventure, and education through Running Wild Expeditions.

Michael Clark

Michael Clark

FILMMAKER | PHOTOGRAPHER

Michael is an award-winning filmmaker and photographer who has dedicated his life to creating impact-driven conservation media. Documenting conservation and adventure stories has taken Michael across six continents and dozens of countries.

Michael has contributed photos and video to National Geographic, accepted awards at the United Nations, and worked with companies such as Disney, CBS, PBS Nature, and Patagonia, and has partnered with various nonprofits.

Perhaps most impressively, he has also won the high score for Pac-Man in an arcade in New Hampshire.

With a teaching degree from Boston University, Michael uses Running Wild Expeditions to perfectly synchronize his love for documenting wildlife and his passion for education.

Storytelling. Anywhere.

|‍ ‍WHAT WE DO‍ ‍|

We will literally go anywhere.

Underwater? Yup. Cliff face? Easy. The Tundra? You Betcha.

At Running Wild Media, we believe powerful storytelling can change the way people see, understand, and interact with the world. We bring together creative production, education and engagement, and impact strategy to transform compelling ideas into meaningful change. From cinematic documentaries and digital campaigns to immersive educational experiences and conservation initiatives, we work with organizations to tell stories that inspire curiosity, deepen understanding, and motivate action. By combining scientific expertise, creative storytelling, and strategic thinking, we help our partners connect with audiences and create impact that extends far beyond the screen.

| OUR AFFILIATIONS |

| BEHIND THE LENS |

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